The Signal
Over 20% of member priority submissions in the last 30 days reference AI — the highest single-theme concentration the network has recorded. The signal isn't about AI adoption. It's about AI visibility. Security leaders across industries are reporting the same gap: employees are using AI tools, and security teams can't see which ones, how often, or what data is going in. Shadow AI has moved from a boardroom topic to the top active buying trigger in the network.
From the Network
"We are having a problem with shadow AI and need to get it under control."
"Not sure what users are doing with AI and I have no way to track or have any visibility — and I need to find that."
"We want to ensure PHI, PII, and corporate confidential data is not getting into these models."
These aren't hypothetical concerns. Each of these leaders is actively evaluating solutions in this category right now.
The Context
Microsoft announced Entra Internet Access Shadow AI Detection at RSAC this week — general availability March 31. It uses network-layer monitoring to surface AI applications that endpoint management can't see. In February, Proofpoint acquired Acuvity for the same reason: AI visibility and governance across the agentic workspace. Two major platform moves in six weeks, both targeting the exact gap the network identified months ago.
Bottom Line: When Microsoft and Proofpoint both build for shadow AI in the same quarter, it's not an emerging trend. The market has caught up to what the network knew first.
What to Do About It
Run a shadow AI inventory this week. Ask your engineering and business unit leads one question: "What AI tools are your teams using that IT didn't provision?" Don't wait for a platform to surface it. Start with the conversation. The governance tooling is coming — but the blind spot is now.
This intelligence comes from real IT leaders in the DoGood network. Want to see what peers in your industry are prioritizing? Join the network
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